That first tiny tooth is an exciting milestone, but it rarely arrives according to a perfectly predictable schedule. One baby may develop a tooth before learning to sit independently, while another may celebrate their first birthday with a completely gummy smile.
So, when do babies start getting their first teeth? Most babies develop their first visible tooth at around six months old. However, some begin teething before four months, while others do not get a tooth until after their first birthday.
A small number of babies are even born with one or more teeth. The first teeth to appear are usually the lower central incisors-the two small teeth at the front of the bottom jaw.
More teeth then emerge gradually until most children have all 20 primary teeth by around age three. Understanding the normal baby teething timeline can help parents know what to expect, manage mild discomfort, and begin proper infant oral care at the right time.
When Do Babies Usually Get Their First Tooth?
The average first tooth appears at around six months, although a broad range can still be normal. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes four to seven months as a common starting period, while the NHS notes that some children begin before four months or after 12 months.
This means comparing your baby with another child of the same age is not especially helpful. Tooth eruption is an individual developmental process, and babies do not need to follow an exact calendar to be healthy.
A baby born prematurely may also seem to develop teeth later when their age is counted from birth rather than from their expected due date. Medical history and individual development can influence when teeth become visible.
Even before the first tooth appears, the primary teeth are already present beneath the gums. Babies are normally born with 20 developing primary teeth inside their jaws, waiting to erupt over the next few years.
Which Baby Teeth Usually Come in First?
The two lower front teeth, called the lower central incisors, are commonly the first to emerge. They are often followed by the two upper central incisors and then the lateral incisors beside them.
The exact sequence can vary, but a typical tooth eruption pattern looks like this:
1. Front Teeth
The lower central incisors commonly appear between about five and ten months, followed by the upper central incisors. The lateral incisors-the teeth beside the central pair-usually emerge later during the first year or early in the second.
2. Molars and Canines
The first primary molars generally begin appearing during the second year. These wider teeth help children crush and chew food.
The pointed canine teeth usually emerge after the first molars. The second molars arrive toward the back of the mouth and are often among the final baby teeth to appear. Most children have their full set of 20 milk teeth by approximately age three.
A child may not follow this order exactly. An eruption chart is a general guide, not a deadline for every individual tooth.
What Are the Common Signs of Teething?
Some babies show several noticeable teething symptoms, while others develop a new tooth with very little fuss. The experience may even differ from one tooth to the next.
Common signs include increased drooling, a desire to chew, mild gum tenderness, and temporary irritability. The gum where a tooth is emerging may look slightly red or feel sensitive.
Babies often place toys, fingers, or other safe objects in their mouths because pressure can feel comforting. Drooling may also irritate the skin around the mouth, chin, or neck, especially when the area remains damp.
Changes in sleep or feeding can happen when the gums feel uncomfortable. However, teething discomfort should generally be mild and temporary rather than severe or continuous.
Parents sometimes notice these behaviours weeks before a tooth becomes visible. Drooling and chewing can also be normal developmental behaviours, so they do not guarantee that a tooth will appear immediately.
Which Symptoms Are Not Normally Caused by Teething?
Teething is often blamed for almost every illness that happens during infancy. However, a significant fever, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, or severe lethargy should not automatically be dismissed as part of tooth eruption.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that teething does not cause a true fever or diarrhoea. These symptoms may indicate an infection or another medical condition requiring attention.
A slightly warmer temperature may occasionally be noticed, but a temperature of 38°C or higher is generally considered a fever. This is especially important in very young babies, who may need prompt medical evaluation.
Contact a healthcare professional if your baby appears seriously unwell, refuses fluids, has persistent diarrhoea, develops a high temperature, or is unusually difficult to wake or comfort. Do not allow the assumption of teething to delay appropriate medical care.
How Can You Soothe a Teething Baby Safely?
A clean teething ring can give your baby something firm and safe to chew. Cooling the ring in the refrigerator may provide additional relief, but it should not be frozen solid because an extremely hard or cold object may hurt sensitive gums.
You can also gently massage the gum with a clean finger. A cool, clean washcloth may be useful for babies who are old enough to hold and chew it safely.
Avoid amber teething necklaces, bracelets, and similar accessories. They do not have proven pain-relieving benefits and may present choking or strangulation hazards.
The FDA advises against using topical products containing benzocaine or lidocaine for infant teething pain. These products provide little benefit and have been associated with potentially serious side effects.
For significant discomfort, ask your child’s doctor, dentist, or pharmacist whether an age-appropriate pain medicine is suitable. The correct product and dose depend on the baby’s age, weight, medical history, and local guidance.
How Should You Care for the First Baby Tooth?
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth breaks through the gum. Use a small, soft-bristled child’s toothbrush and clean the tooth gently twice a day, including before bedtime.
For children younger than three, the American Dental Association recommends using only a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, approximately the size of a grain of rice. An adult should perform or closely supervise the brushing.
Do not wait until several teeth have appeared before beginning. Tooth decay can develop as soon as a tooth is exposed in the mouth.
Avoid regularly putting a baby to sleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or another sugary drink. Prolonged exposure allows bacteria to produce acids that can damage the new enamel, particularly on the upper front teeth.
Baby teeth help with chewing, speech development, and holding space for future permanent teeth. Although they eventually fall out, keeping them healthy remains important.
When Should Your Baby Visit a Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends arranging the first dental visit when the first tooth appears or no later than the child’s first birthday.
This early appointment is usually preventive. The dentist can examine tooth development, identify early decay risks, discuss fluoride, and show you how to clean your baby’s mouth properly.
Speak with a dentist or pediatrician if you are concerned about delayed tooth eruption, unusual tooth shape, discoloration, bleeding gums, or a tooth that appears loose shortly after emerging.
Babies born with teeth should also be assessed because the tooth may occasionally interfere with feeding or become unstable.
Do not wait for a painful problem before arranging dental care. Beginning early helps make dental visits a familiar and routine part of growing up.
Most babies get their first tooth at around six months, but earlier or later eruption can still fall within normal development.
The lower front teeth usually arrive first, followed gradually by the remaining incisors, molars, and canines. By about age three, most children have all 20 primary teeth.
Mild drooling, chewing, gum tenderness, and temporary fussiness may accompany teething. High fever, persistent diarrhoea, or signs of serious illness should not be blamed on tooth eruption without medical advice.
Once the first tooth appears, begin brushing twice daily with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Schedule your baby’s first dental appointment by their first birthday and start building healthy oral-care habits from the very first tooth.